What Does BYOD Mean?

BYOD is a strategy that "provides the platform for which students become
active participants in learning both in and outside of the classroom setting by
enabling employees and students to use their personal devices and connect with
school/employers network (Ackerman & Krupp). ”

Why BYOD?

The Future is in Mobile

Sales of desktop personal computers have been in sharp decline over the last few years.

Mobile device sales have skyrocketed.

Growth of 4g mobile networks and development of mobile apps for almost all online resources have supported the world going mobile.

By 2017 87% of connected devices are expected to be smartphones or tablets.

All the World's Knowledge in your Hand

Internet Access:With mobile devices comes access to the internet and all of the information that comes with it.

Applications/Tools:There are scores of apps designed for mobile platforms. These are often designed with specific educational settings in mind, and can give students tools to enhance the learning experience.

Not Passive, But Interactive

Connectivity:Mobile devices connect students. Not only to each other, but to experts in their field of study located throughout the world.

Interaction Between Peers:These devices can connect classmates allowing for the educational experience to exist beyond the confines of the classroom walls and schedule.

Interaction Between Students an Instructor:With mobile devices and their constant connectivity instructors can be more accessible than ever with their students. Think 'Virtual Office Hours.'

Students Have Them...

Growing Mobile Access:The number of students owning mobile devices is grown significantly in the last decade. Students with these devices are often bringing them into the classroom for both educational and non-educational purposes.

Growing Mobile Usage:Not only are students access to mobile devices growing, but the time spent on these devices is growing, even surpassing use of television and other media.

...and Want to Use Them

﻿Mobile Devices Can Enhance Learning:Based on a survey of students at Lethbridge College a large number of students believe that mobile devices can enhance their learning.﻿

Students Have the Devices and Want to Utilize Them:Smartphone use has rising dramatically and their owners are using them in their everyday lives. A 2013 Canadian survey had 8 in 10 smartphone owners claiming would not leave home without their devices.

BYOD: Perfect for Public Institutions

With public institutions constantly under the knife for potential funding cuts implementing BYOD strategies. Having the students bring their own devices to the learning environment takes the pressure off of the institution/instructor to provide all of the technology to enhance the learning experience.

Issues/Concerns Surrounding BYOD

Privacy:It is hard to discuss mobile devices in a classroom setting without having a discussion about privacy.

Cyberbullying:With mobile device and social media use the reality of cyberbullying may concern those looking to implement BYOD in the classroom setting.

Distractions:The arrival of mobile devices in the classroom have brought with them a concern that they will be a source of distraction for students.

Instructional Strategies Using BYOD

Continuous Discussion/Student Collaboration

Mobile devices allow for more collaborative opportunities to exist for students.

Through mobile devices and the apps that exist for them extends the learning experience beyond the physical walls and schedule limitations of the classroom.

Mobile devices allow for students to collaborate without being in the same physical location.